Research Institute for High-Life

Japan-Asia Collaborative Research Project


Study report "The New Trends in Asian Urban Lifestyle"

"The New Trends in Urban Lifestyle in Manila" (serial in 4 parts)



Part 4 Consumer Markets in the Advent of Motorization, Japan-Philippines Relations and the Future



Carlos Luis L. Santos, Japanese Studies Program

Ateneo de Manila University.





Summary


The Philippines, with a population composed of 30% poor, 60% in the low-income bracket, 9 percent in the middle-income bracket, and only1% wealthy, is said to be behind in development. However, due to the growth of domestic industries, IT-BPO industry and other overseas companies for the past 4-5 years, as well as the China plus one movement, the Philippine economy is enjoying a strong development that exceeds the other ASEAN countries. With remittances of approximately $24 billion yearly from over 10 million migrant workers (OFWs) increasing the disposable income of each household, the consumer market in the Philippines is starting to be revitalized. In particular, middle class consumer positive attitude towards car ownership is on the rise, and new lifestyles brought about by this trend are showing signs of expansion.



In this report, the status of the advent of motorization in the Philippines, changes in 

consumer lifestyle, and Philippines-Japan relations as well as the future of the 

Philippines will be discussed.

Principal Author Carlos Luis L. Santos

Lecturer：Japanese Studies Program

Ateneo de Manila University

Education：2009-present: MA in Japanese Studies, Ateneo de Manila University

2009: Translation and Business Japanese course, Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture

2008: Intensive Japanese Language Course, Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture

2007: Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Minor in Japanese Studies, Ateneo de Manila University

Work experience：2010 present: Japanese Language Instructor, Ateneo de Manila University

2010-2012: Translator/Basic Japanese Instructor, MHI Technical Services, Inc.

2009: Scholarship Assistant, Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines

Research interests：Translation, Sociolinguistics, Comparative Culture





Co-Researcher:

Furukawa Ichiro, Professer, Hitotsubasi University

Fukuda hiroshi, Chairman, Joumon communication Inc.





Editing and Delivery Public-Interest Incorporated Foundation

Research Institute for High-Life http://www.hilife.or.jp/